Fernhill will open for pedestrians every Sunday in February from 9am to 3pm

Fernhill will open for pedestrians only every Sunday in February from 9am to 3pm. There are currently no car parking facilities available with pedestrian access only at the new entrance on the Belarmine Roundabout. The public should take particular care when crossing the Enniskerry Road and upon exiting from Fernhill.

The map below shows the location and areas that are open for public access. Fernhill is a highly sensitive historic landscape containing a rare and wonderful plant collection. In addition, there many spring bulbs emerging throughout the gardens and meadows. Therefore members of the public should walk on the designated paths and dogs on leads are permitted in the front meadow and rear fields only.

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The new entrance into Fernhill Park and Gardens is due to be completed by early 2019. This will create a strong presence for the park along the Enniskerry Road. It will also provide a convenient pedestrian connection with the local residential areas and the village of Stepaside. The concept for the design was informed by the historic estate and the distinct local, rural landscape. The emphasis of the project is on the usage of the highest quality local materials and the best traditional craftsmanship. This new intervention aims to stitch seamlessly into the fabric of the old estate while acknowledging its place in the 21st Century. The detail of the entrance is a celebration of all the craftsmanship and materials evident in the estate and local area.

Existing granite is to be re-used and any new stone will be indigenous, Leinster granite. The stone elements include the walls, piers and paving. The use of local stone masons to construct the enclosing walls will be encouraged. The gates will be fabricated by a master blacksmith with traditional rivets as a further reference to the collection of local historic field gates. Finally, existing mature trees will be maintained and supplementary tree and generous groundcover planting will soften the new entrance. Plants will be chosen to echo the unique collection in Fernhill and to thrive in the local climate.

The existing access into the Park every Sunday will be maintained at this entrance throughout the works.